Wisc. regulators approve sale of Lake Michigan nuclear plant

NUCLEAR: Wisconsin regulators approve the sale of a nuclear power plant along Lake Michigan to a private contractor, which also will receive about $835 million to decommission the 49-year-old plant. (Wisconsin State Journal)

ALSO:
• The U.S. Department of Energy will extend the application deadline by 47 days for nuclear plant owners to apply for federal funding to keep them open, including a plant in Michigan. (Reuters)
• Wisconsin utility Dairyland Power Cooperative explores the potential for small, modular nuclear reactors in its portfolio that could be dispersed throughout the state. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, subscription)
• Critics say legislation advancing in Ohio to create a state panel to steer potential nuclear development lacks transparency and could lead to more taxpayer support of nuclear plants. (Toledo Blade)

POLLUTION: Eliminating air pollution from energy-related activities in the U.S. could prevent more than 53,000 premature deaths per year and provide $608 million in benefits, University of Wisconsin researchers find. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

SOLAR:
• Solar advocates welcome the Minnesota attorney general’s recent lawsuit against four solar companies as a way to help ​“eliminate bad actors and mitigate harms to consumers.” (MPR News)
• Opposition to a planned 300 MW solar project in Ohio dwindles as state regulators start public hearings on the project. (LimaOhio.com)
• Consumers Energy signs power purchase agreements for 300 MW of solar power under development in Michigan. (MLive)
• A southern Ohio city council is at odds with the town’s mayor who recently voiced support for a proposed utility-scale solar project. (Scioto Post)
• Developers reach an initial construction agreement for the first phase of a 400 MW solar project in northwestern Indiana. (Inside Indiana Business)

STORAGE: Alliant Energy’s planned 5 MW battery storage pilot in southern Wisconsin could play an instrumental role in the utility’s shift to renewable energy. (Portage Daily Register)

PIPELINES: U.S. Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan introduces legislation that would require companies operating pipelines in the Great Lakes to use the latest monitoring and safety technology to prevent spills. (WXMI)

RENEWABLES: Hundreds of environmental and public interest groups urge the Federal Trade Commission to investigate ​“abusive utility practices” that are obstructing customers from accessing renewable energy. (Solar Power World)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: General Motors executives say having a full portfolio of electric vehicle models on sale at the same time will allow each of them to succeed more than previous single efforts have. (Automotive News)

GRID: Following fellow Michigan utility Consumers Energy, Detroit-based DTE Energy says it also does not expect rolling blackouts this summer despite recent warnings from grid operator MISO. (FOX 2)

COMMENTARY:
• Michigan will be able to leverage its climate action plan to attract clean energy businesses and investments, says the president of an advanced energy trade group. (Energy News Network)
• An editorial board is ​“glad to see Missouri is among the states taking the lead in accommodating” electric vehicle drivers by building out more charging stations. (News Tribune)